Folding toothbrush



Nov. 3, 1953 H. E; CARLSON 2,657,412

FOLDING TOOTHBRUSH Filed Nov. 30, 1948 FIGA l'Flc-l2 Plas ,f 2.

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HENRY E. CARLSON Aller/:ey

Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,657,1{12Y FOLDING TOQTHBRUSH Henry E. Carlson, New Britain, Conn. Application November 30, i948, Serial No. 62,6163

. This invention is a folding tooth brush of the general type wherein the handle of the brush is in the form of a container adapted to house the brush when not in use and from which the brush may be unfolded into convenient, accessible position for use.

Articles of this general character have been heretofore suggested and the object of the present invention is to improve materially thereon and to provide a more convenient, simple and efficient construction than heretofore.

In its preferred practical form, the tooth brush of this invention has a bristled head with an integral shank. The shank has a bifurcated end, formed by a longitudinally extending slot terminating at the end of the shank in a constricted mouth adapted for detachable connection with and for pivotal movement about a pivot pin carried by the container which constitutes the brush handle. This container is shaped to receive the brush and shank and has an open side adapted to be normally closed by a pivoted cover. When the cover is open, the brushr may be pivotally moved into and out of the container and, when in the latter position and substantially alined with the container, these two parts are adapted for relativelongitudinal movement to secure the brush against pivotal movement with respect to its handle.

The manner in which the brush is secured in this position of useconstitutes an important feature of this form of the invention for the brush shank. is provided at its lateral edges withsteps adapted for interfltting relation with complementary stepped cheeks interiorly of the forward portion of the container to effectuate a lremarkably rigid intertting relationV between these parts. The brush is adapted to be locked in thisV intertting relation by a locking flange on the cover. When the cover is closed, this locking flange engages with a locking notch in the brush .shank and as long as the flange is engaged with this notch, there can be no relative longitudinal movement between the brush and container. Means is provided for normally maintaining the cover in closed position, so that the locking flange von the cover is consequently kept in engagement with the locking notch in the brush shank whereby the brush cannot -be inadvertently released during use. However, when the cover is opened, the brush may be longitudinally moved to permit of its pivotal movement hereinbefore referred to. This pivotal movement is guided by cam surfaces lformed on the cheeks inside of the forward por- .tion 91 the container and ,against which fcam 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-185) surfaces the Asteps on the brush shank may bear to insure free, swinging operation of the brush 'as it isrmoved into and out of its handle.

f The -device vof the present invention is well adapted for economical muanfacture in organic plastics, Vis neat in appearance, sanitary and *hygienic and thoroughly eflicient for its intended f'purposes. l

" Features of the invention, other than those ad- Vverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter 'detailed description and appended claims when fread in conjunction with the accompanying fdrawing. y

f' The accompanying `drawing illustrates one 'practical embodiment'of the invention, but the rconstruction therein shown is to be understood as' illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits 5 of the invention.

Figure 1`is a side elevation rof the device of this invention showing the parts in condition for use.

f Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure 'shown in Figure 1.

` Figure 3 is a section taken in the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2, but with the brush folded 'into the container. Y

I Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the cover open and the brush,rin phantom, in a midway fposition. Y

Figurer5 is a fragmental perspective showing contiguous Vends of the brush shank and container, detached from one another with portions 'of the container broken away in the interest of Iclearness Figures 6, l'7, 8 and 9 are fragmental sections taken in the plane of the line 6-6 of Figure 2 showing different relative positions of the parts. l As shown in the accompanying drawings, l designates the tooth brush and 2 the container. The tooth brush l consists of a head 3 with bristled tufts 4 and from the rear end of the head extends an integral shank 5. This shank is pronvided near its free end with a longitudinal slot 6 having a constricted mouth 1 opening to the end Aof the shank'. The inlet to the mouth is beveled. .1 as shown atV 8, and the opposite ends of the slot :6 are curved on the radius of a pivot pin 9. The

ofthe slot to be sprung open, so as to allow the passage of the pin 9 through the mouth into or out of the slot 6, the mouth 1 being sucie'ntly constricted to normally retain the pin in the slot. The container 2 is in the form of a casing comji prising a hollow body IU of a size and shape to house the head of the brush and provided at one end with a neck I I of reduced size having a cross section corresponding substantially to the cross section of the shank of the brush and adapted to house the end portion of the shank. As shown in the drawings, the bottom of the container is open throughout its length, but this open side is adapted to be closed by a cover I2, pivoted at the rear end of the `container on ai hinge pin I3. Both lateral edges of the cover are rabbeted, as shown at I4, so that the contiguous edges of the side walls yof the container will fit into the rabbets and produce a nice flush appearance-whenthe cover is closed. The rabbeting of the cover into the open Sido oi the Container also serves to reinforce the walls of the contaiiieiwhen the cover is closed.

To hold the cover in closed position, it is provided at its opposite edges with locking projections I5 adapted-to seat in.Y correspondingly shaped depressions IE in theiopposite side Walls of the containerfthe natural spring or resiliency of these wallsserving to permit engagement and disengagement oifthe locking projections with said depressions.V Juxtaposed with the projections Ilifthe cover may beprovided with laterally extending finger pieces I1 to be grasped when it is desired-to open the cover, `Asthese iinger pieces are adjacent: the locking projections, they facilitate thefopening` of the cover without' placing undue strain'on such cover. To strengthen the cover longitudinally it is preferably 'made thicker than the wall of the container. It is thickened additionally in the region IB'adjacent :the neck II to provide an extended upper inside surface'to support the brush when the latter is in inoperative position within its handle, as `shown in Figure yihis thickening also 'contributes tol the strength of the cover, so that it will not have excessive spring.

The end of the neckof the container is open and adjacent such opening it is provided interiorly with thickened wall portions forming cheeks I9 at the opposite sides of the neck. These cheeks, as shown in the drawing, extend downwardly from the upper` wall of the neck to near the lower edges of its' side walls, andthe lower edges of said cheeks form iiat surfaces against which the free end portion' of the cover is adapted to seat. The forward and rear ends of the checks are provided with cam surfaces `2 I and 22, respectively, which are 'curved-on arcs concentric with the pivot pin! which 'pass-es through both cheeks and bridges the space between them, as shown best in Ii'igu'reA 5:.'l 'The forward upper portion of each cheek, however, is undercut or stepped to provide an abutment 2 3, the abutment being parallel tobut spaced from the top wall of the neck. f

As hereinbefore stated, the shank 5r of the brush I is 'adapted to cooperate with the pivot pin Ii; and consequently the free or slotted end of said shank is shaped and proportioned to iit into the neckA of the container.' That i's tosay, the free endiof theshank is reduced in Width for a distance somewhat greater than the length of theslotfsothat theslot is, in effect; positioned within a 'tongue' 24 integralwith' the free end portion of 'theshankof the brush, as 'shown best in Figure 5,: This tongue is ofa'width'substantially equal to the distance between the'inner faces of the cheeks i9, while the thicknessofthe tongueV is-substantially the same ast'he distance between the inner face of the'top walljof, the vneck and the upper surface of the cover when the latter is closed. At the base of the tongue 2d, the lateral edges of the shank of the brush are cut away or stepped complementarily to the stepped forward ends of the cheeks I9, so as to form on said shank abutments complementary to and adapted to cooperate with the abutments 23 of the cheeks I9.

The parts are so arranged and proportioned thatj 'when tl xslot 6 o'f'tle" shank embraces the pio 9, with the pin ai thofoi-waid one of the Slot, the complementary stepped portions on the shank of the brush and the stepped portions of the heeks will intert with one another to bring the ab tinents 23 and 2'5 into face abutting rela-y 'i tionand* thusl preclude pivotal movement of the brush `with respect to the container, so long as these` abutments are Iin engagement with one another.l The parts are maintained in this position, when the cover is closed, by a locking iiange 25 carried by and extending across the free end of the cover and adli'pted to seat in a correspondingly shaped andpo'siti'oned 'transverse notch 27 formed inthe Viinuz'ie'r sideof the shank of the brush, as shown best'in Figure 6.

It is to be noted that the undercut aces Z8 FiguiQ l5) at the opposite lower sides of the shank are curved 'on' the same radius as the earns 2l' of the cheeks, Asoy that, when 'the parts'are in the assembled'relation referred to, the stepped portions of both 'thebrush shank and the cheeks contact one another throughout, as clearly shown in Figure "6. However, when the cover is opened to withdraw thlloc'kingange 26 from the notch 3l, thebri'ish may bem'oved longitudinally to withdraw the abutments 250i its shank from the abutments 423 of the'cheeks, as shown in Figure 7. In' this'position, the' 'rear end of the Slot win be engaged with the pivot pin S and consequently the brush'mayV be'pivotally moved from the position offEi'guie Tl tlirOllgh the positions of Figures'8 and 9 into the position of Figure 3 to place thebush Wholly/'within the container.

" It'willbe noted 'from Figure 8 that, as the brush starts to' Inovein ananti'clockwise direction from its`I operative 'to itsinoperative position, the earn surfaces' `2lfat the forward ends of the cheeks giiiee the brush iiiiriiig'iis' initial pivotal movenient. the brush moves' into the container, as shown in B "igure 9, the cams 22 at the rear ends ofthe cheeks' engagewiie ine stepped portions oi the brush, andinaintain it in such position that the rear, end.' Qf'theslot i5 remains against th "pir 9., `S0 that the# brush Cannot become jarnrnfed within the centainei Vwhen it is subseq4 "ntly desired tounioldfthe' brush into its position"oiu'se,I lAssliownilinthedrawing, the end of, the tongue illtis'rounde'd soasnot to interfere Wth') th. bivotialimovement referredto- This mlmdeind Ais, @veil SUPSVHQHY On the .Jentel" l `v 'ivlot when the latter occupies the contiguous ed 0f. th'slotf Y "The "andjits handle remain connected to one another"by` the pivotpin Pi duringV all nortrialI operations ofl the article. However, when it is desired to replace'aworn brush with a new onefthe'worn section may be readily detached from the container by merely pulling them apart when theA brush is in a position substantially perpendicular to its handle, as indicated in phane toni in lfigure Li, employing suflicient force to springv the pivot pinv Il` through the constricted mouth 'i of., the slot vIi. A new brush may then be assgciaied with thefpin i3` by merely forcing che tapering@ 'beveled mouth, against the pin with suihcient pressure 'to spring the mouth lopen,` enough to admit the pin into lthe slot. The beveled surfaces B make this operation relatively easy. .A

l. The construction shown and described' is highly eiiicient. All forces applied to. and trans.

the brush in use. The perforations 29 shown inv Figure 4 are for ventilation. Y,

' When the brush is within the container, as shown in Figure 3, the t between the tongue 24 and the inner surfaces of the neck of the container, with the pivot pin andthe upper supporting surface of the cover, maintain the brush aan;

' :pin into and out of the slot, said brush being pivotally movable into and out of the handlewhen the cover is open and being slidable on the pin when in alined position exteriorly of the handle to secure the handle and brush against head in such positionthat the bristles are free from contact with any part of the container and thus are not deformed by :pressure against the walls thereof.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical form., but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with they appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim yas new and desire .to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding tooth brush comprising: ahollow handle having an open end with. a pivot pin within its interior adjacent said open end, the opposite walls of theV handle in the region of the lpin having interior cheeks Withtransverse abutments, said handle also having an open side with a cover to normally close the same, a tooth brush having a shank with a longitudinal slot embracing said lpivot pin permitting both pivotal and longitudinal movement of the brushy on the pin, said shank being also provided at its lateral edges with abutments complementary to and adapted to engage with the abutments of said cheeks when the brush' is moved longitudinally and the pivot pin is at the corresponding end of saidslotto lock the Vbrush against pivotal movement with respect to the handle, said shank being longitudinally shiftable to disengage said abutments and vpermit the brush to be pivotally moved on the pin'into a positionwithin the hollow handle. j 2. A folding tooth brush comprising: a hollow handle having an open end and a pivot pin within its interior adjacent said open end and said handle also having an open side with a hinged cover to normally close the same, and a tooth brush having a shank withA a bifurcated end formed by a longitudinal slot having at the end of the shank a constricted outlet mouth which may be sprung open to permit the passage of said pivot pin into and out of the slot, said brush being pivotally movable into and out of the handle when the cover is open and being slidable on the pin when in alined position exteriorly of the handle to secure the handle and brush against pivotal movement.

3. A folding tooth brush comprising: a hollow handle having an open end and a pivot pin Within its interior adjacent said open end and said handle also having an open side with a hinged cover to normally close the same, a tooth brush pivotal movement, and a locking member on the cover engageable with a notch in said shank to lock the brush to the handle in this position when the cover'is closed.

4. A folding tooth brush comprising: a hollow handle havingan open end with a pivot pin within its interior adjacent said open end, the opposite walls of the handle in the region of the pin .having interior cheeks with transverse abutments, said handle also having an open side with a hinged cover to normally. close u the same, a tooth brushwhavingma shank with arbif-urcated end vfQI'med'vbyga longitudinal slot to slidably receive said pivot pin and having at the endv of the shank a constricted outletk mouth which may be sprung open to permit the lpassage of said pivot pin therethrough into and out of the slot, said shank being also provided at its lateral edges with abutments complementary to and adapted to engage with the abutments ofsaid cheeks when the brush is moved longitudinally and the pivot pin is at the corresponding end of the slot to lock the brush against pivotal movement with respect toits handle.

, 5. A folding tooth brush comprising: a hollow handle having an kopen end with a. pivot pin within its interior adjacent said open end, the opposite walls of the handle in the region of the pin having interior cheeks with transverse abutments, said handle also having an open side with a hinged cover to normally close the same, a tooth brush having a Shank with a bifurcated end formed by a longitudinal slot to slidably reeive said pivot pinrand having at the end of the shank a constricted outlet mouth which may be sprung open to permit the passage of said pivot pin therethrough into and out of the slot, -said shank being also provided at its lateral edges with abutments complementary to and adapted to engage with the abutments of said cheeks when the brush is longitudinally shifted to position the, pivot. pin atthe corresponding end of the slotto lock the brush against pivotal moveinent with respect to its handle, and a locking projection on the cover engaging with, a locking depression in said shank to maintain said abutments in cooperative relation. Y

6. AV folding tooth brush comprising: a hollow handle having an open end with a pvot pin within its interior adjacent said open end, the opposite Walls of the handle in the region of the pin having interior cheeks with transverse abutments, said handle also having an open side with a hinged cover to normally close the same, a tooth brush having a shank with a bifurcated end formed by a longitudinal slot having at the end of the shank a constricted outlet mouth which may be sprung open to permit the passage of said pivot pin therethrough into and out of the slot, said shank being also provided at its lateral edges with abutments complementary to and adapted to engage with the abutments of said cheeks when the pivot pin is at the corresponding end of the slot to lock the brush against pivotal movement with respect to its handle, and a locking projection on the cover engaging with a locking depres- Sion Seid; .Shank to nlointoin Seid., obiitin.entef` in.. eoonerative relation w the. cover-is. Closed,v

Seid sbonk heiner longitudinally Shifteble to dief engage the ebnt'rnents one nerinittloe lernen to be pivotollv moved on the loin into a position withinpthe hollow handle when the cover is open.

'7. A folding tooth brush. Q'Qrrlprising; a hollow handle having an open endwith a pivot pinwithin itsinterior adjacent saidoperl end, the opposite` Walls: of the handle inthe region4 of the pin hav,- ing interior cheeks with transverse abutments, said handle also having an open side with a hinged cover to normally close. the Same, a toothV toengage with the abutments ofV said cheeks when Y the pivot pin is, at the eorrespondingiend of the eletto lock; the einen against `nivotelf movement with respecttoY its handle, and a.V locking projection on, the cover engaging, Witha lqcliing. depression in` said shank to maintain said abutments. in cooperativeV relation when the cover is closed, said shank being longitudinally shiftable to disengage the abutments and permit the brush, to be lpivotally moved on the. pin, into. a position within the hollow handle when the cover is open, said cheeks having cam surfaces for guiding the brush during such pivotal movement.

8. A rell tooth brush having a shank provided adjacent its free end` with alongitudinal slot having at the end of theshank a oonstrieted out-1 let which may be sprung. open to permit the pas-.- Sage therethrough of a pivot pin. into and out of the slot, said slot having an elongated. longitudinal portionv throughout which. the width of the slot is at least asv great as the; diameter of the pin to be received therein, whereby the brush shank isk longitudinally slidable onY the pivot pin Whenvthe pivot pin is in said elongated longitu-v dinal portion of said slot.

9. A refill tooth brush having a shank provided at its free end with a centrally disposed tongue of reduced. width, they lateral edges. of the shank at the. base of the tongue having transversely disposed abutments and the tongue having a biureatedy end formed by a longitudinal slot provided at the end of the tongue with a constrieted outlet mouth which maybe. sprung open to per@ mit the passage. therethrough of a Divot pinv into and out of the slot, said slot having an elongated longitudinal portion throughout vvhieliv the Width of the slotA isV at leastv as great as the diameter of the pin to be, received therein, whereby the blllSh shank islongtudinally slidable on the pivot ein Wnentne pivot Pinie in Seid elongated lonelitudinal portion of said slot.

10- A folding, tooth brush handle oomorioiner e hollow container hfewinev otite forward end e.

mente, and.. e lernen pivot transversely. oiv sindv neck.

1l, A, folding tooth. broth comprising: n hollow handle having a pivot,A and, a tooth brueh having a shank provided neer its Yfree end with e. slot extending' longitudinally olf the Shank and ter`- minatine et the endo tneshonk ino. oonetrio-ted month adapted to loe sprung open to. permit thev oeeooee of the Pivot. into and, out oi. eniolelot.t solo slot hffivine.l elongated longitudinal portion througlioiitwliioh.the'wldthoi the Slotiset leest es. greet. as.. the diameter o f Send, pivot, whereby said brush is arcuately movable onthe pivot into and out of the handle end longitudinally Slidolole on the pivoty tdlook tno brnsnfeeainst or release it for sucharouate movement.

l2 A folding tooth` brush. ne claimedr inY claim l, wherein the oheelrshave cam surfaces.; to enenge with the abutments of the sham;y to guide the latter during pivotal movement of the brush.

13. A folding toothbrushQQmDring; a hollow handle and. ef tootli briisliA olvotallv .mounted therein, said handle havingl earny meansfor guiding the tooth brush for at loont Dart of its pivotal movement, both the brush andthe handle havine complementary look-ine; elontniente and the brush having a slottedfeonneetion withthehandle to permit the adoutpgients ot the brush and handle tobe engaged with oneanother to4 loektlle handle against pivotal movement andLv to be disengaged from one another, topermit thepivotal movement of the brush into. and ont of the handle References, Gited in` the lel of;A this patient;

UNITED S'IAFIESv PA'IENIS Number Name Date 666,360. Shearer Jan. 22, 19.01 1,104,365 Loughlin July. 2,1, 1914 1,464,250, Liebertha1k ,y aug, 7,1923 i 119603307 co1@ V- May' 2 9, 193.4 

